“For far too long there have been concerns about foreign-funded campaigns discrediting Alberta’s oil and gas jobs. I personally worked in the pipeline industry from 2005 to 2018. During this time, I saw the challenges facing Canada’s natural resource industry first-hand. As minister, I’m committed to uncovering the truth and working to revitalize the energy sector.

“Our government was elected on the promise to launch a public inquiry into the foreign sources of funds behind the anti-Alberta energy campaigns. This inquiry is long overdue and will examine if, how and why foreign funding has contributed to landlocking our energy sector.

“Ecojustice alone has received US$815,000 from the U.S.-based Tides Foundation. Ecojustice has been one of the leading activist groups seeking to block the duly approved Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project. Ecojustice’s opposition to the inquiry into the foreign-funded attacks on our oil and gas workers speaks for itself.

“The inquiry is fully independent, as per the Public Inquiries Act and commissioner Steve Allan’s terms of reference and engagement letter. I won’t prejudge any results from commissioner Allan, as his work is ongoing. Our government is looking forward to receiving a completed report from the commissioner no later than July 2, 2020.”